In order to "boost our child's brain power" and help them develop "executive functioning" skills - the ability to problem solve and juggle tasks - we need to make sure they exercise, eat well and get enough sleep. Sounds simple, right? But, when soccer, gymnastics, French lessons and chess club start-up, it's not always easy.

Related "Back to School" Articles

September brings the return of a busy lifestyle for parents and kids.
During this time, Dr. Annette Jakubisin-Konicki, coordinator of the UCONN School of Nursing's Family Nurse Practitioner Program, is offering tips for "back to school" success.
In...

Sure, we've enjoyed lots of quality time with the kids this summer. But, once school starts, the frenzy also begins. Think: homework, soccer practice, piano lessons and chess club. Nevermind our own work schedules. Dr. Amy Alamar, an author and...

It started already.
I expected to see those three little words in commercials, all over discount retailers and at the mall, maybe by mid-July.
But, today, just one week into my daughter's summer vacation, I got a Toys R Us Back to School flyer in the...

O'Brien STEM Academy Students Give BackEAST HARTFORD — Tracey Lafayette's fourth grade class at O'Brien STEM Academy read a book about a child there age who participated in the civil rights movement and realized that even at 9-years-old, they too...

Animal BlessingsEAST HARTFORD — At South Congregational Church, 1301 Forbes St., a blessing of the animals will take place at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1. People of all faiths with pets of all kinds may attend.Bring your pets on a leash or crated. If...

Opioid ForumHARTFORD — Lois A. Krause of East Hartford was selected to be on the panel discussion at Hartford Business Journal's event, The Opioid Forum: Understanding the Impact On The Workplace, taking place from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday,...

More than 2,000 residents attended Bloomfield's 8th annual Back to School Fair, last month.
The free event was sponsored by the Town of Bloomfield Town Council and the Bloomfield Board of Education.
The fair was held on the front lawn of the of...

Final Coats For Kids Sign-UpEAST HARTFORD — The East Hartford Health & Social Services will be holding a final sign-up for those households who were not able to attend the initial sign-ups held during the months of July and August. A limited amount...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My daughter is 9 and worried about going to school this fall because she was picked on by some of her classmates last year. Should I talk to her teachers about this or wait to see how it goes? I am trying to avoid being overprotective...

At Waddell Elementary School's temporary home Wednesday, back-to-school moments included many hugs and proud smiles as parents dropped off their bright-eyed, eager students — and a few sad scenes with kids who weren't quite ready.School staffers wearing...

Leigh Wilson has been working in the same cubicle in the same office for the past 12 years after spending 20 years climbing the corporate ladder.
The 41-year-old Chicago marketing manager, who is single and has no commitments, finally decided that...

Town, ShopRite Commit To Recycling MoreEAST HARTFORD — East Hartford, in partnership with ShopRite, is rolling out a major new environmental sustainability initiative to dramatically increase recycling of plastic wraps and bags.The initiative seeks...

Blue Star Flag Flies For Deployed FirefightersEAST HARTFORD — Continuing a long standing tradition, the East Hartford Fire Department is flying the Blue Star Flag at each fire station to recognize the overseas service of two of its members....

In the capital city, public school teachers can often be counted on to preach perseverance when students encounter the unpredictability of life.On Monday, the eve of the new school year in Hartford, it was Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez’s turn...

Students arriving at New Britain High School on Monday morning got a memorable greeting for the first day of classes: A line of administrators and community leaders giving them high-fives.Instead of the quiet welcome and occasional handshake that are...

You can bet your child's lunch money that a medium to extra-large size cardboard box has donned the front entrances of company offices, grocery stores and the like toward the end of summer.
The flier on this box likely featured floating primary...

East Hartford Veterinarian Receives AwardEAST HARTFORD — Dr. Wil Barrios, DVM, owner and chief veterinarian of the East Hartford Animal Clinic on Connecticut Boulevard, recently received an award of appreciation from the Ferret...

For years, an item on one of our favorite teacher's back-to-school supply list perplexed many parents. The search for a 15x13x2-inch Rubbermaid drawer organizer sent a couple dozen parents on a wild goose chase through Staples, Target, and God help us,...

The victim of Monday evening's stabbing at an Elmwood apartment told West Hartford Police that after talking to Naomi Williams-Wal about taking his son back-to-school shopping she stabbed him in the back and that four children were present at the time,...